Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Andrea Wicke, along with Hussain Islam, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Task Force in the Strategic Reforms Unit, and Johannes Brunner, Commercial Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy Commercial Section, visited the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) to explore investment prospects and engage with the Chamber’s leadership. During the meeting, OICCI CE/Secretary General M Abdul Aleem provided a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s business prospects, with a focus on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) aiming for three percent of its GDP.
The total capital investment by OICCI members from FY 2013 to FY 2022 amounted to $22.0 billion, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s net FDI of $19.9 billion. In the past year (Jan-Dec), Pakistan attracted $1,771 million in FDI, marking a 25% increase from 2022.
Ambassador Wicke emphasized the importance of regional trade, particularly within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). She highlighted the need to build a positive global perception of Pakistan through engagement with foreign media to showcase the country’s overall beauty.
Both Ambassador Wicke and Commercial Counsellor Johannes Brunner expressed optimism, noting that OICCI’s engagement with potential Austrian foreign investment companies would play a crucial role in providing a neutral perspective on Pakistan’s on-ground economic situation. The visit reflects the growing interest of foreign entities in exploring and contributing to Pakistan’s economic development.
